Still, the Shah proceeded with his liberalization program. Academic freedom, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly—these were being proffered, but such Western-style rights were of little interest to a population that was rising up against the monarch and his dynasty and the whole process of modernization. At the end of October, the Shah could only say, “We are melting away daily like snow in water.” Strikes immobilized the economy and the government, students were out of control, and demonstrations and riots went on unchecked.
